EP 1731312 A3 20080416 - Ink level sensing
Title (en)
Ink level sensing
Title (de)
Tintenfüllstandsbestimmung
Title (fr)
Détection de niveau d'encre
Publication
Application
Priority
US 14933505 A 20050609
Abstract (en)
[origin: EP1731312A2] An ink jet printer includes an ink supply system and a printhead with nozzles for ejecting ink drops. The printer determines the average size of the ejected ink drops by comparing the number of ink drops ejected in a predetermined time with the quantity of ink delivered through the printers ink supply system during that time. If the determined average ink drop size does not match predetermined ink drop size criteria, the printer adjusts the activation signals for the ink jet nozzles to alter the ink drop size. A solid ink printer determines the quantity of ink delivered through the ink supply system by counting the number of whole or partial ink sticks that pass a predetermined point in the ink supply system. The counter detects a sensing element formed on an external surface of the ink stick. Exemplary detectors include a mechanical arm, or a thermistor to detect a change in the printer melt plate temperature due to a change in the cross sectional area of an ink stick being melted.
IPC 8 full level
B41J 2/175 (2006.01)
CPC (source: EP US)
B41J 2/0057 (2013.01 - EP US); B41J 2/17566 (2013.01 - EP US); B41J 2/17593 (2013.01 - EP US); B41J 2002/17569 (2013.01 - EP US)
Citation (search report)
- [XA] US 5975690 A 19991102 - GRELLMANN H ERWIN [US], et al
- [A] EP 1366914 A2 20031203 - XEROX CORP [US]
- [A] JP H1081023 A 19980331 - BROTHER IND LTD
Designated contracting state (EPC)
AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR
Designated extension state (EPC)
AL BA HR MK RS
DOCDB simple family (publication)
EP 1731312 A2 20061213; EP 1731312 A3 20080416; EP 1731312 B1 20090826; BR PI0602184 A 20070717; CN 1876384 A 20061213; CN 1876384 B 20100929; DE 602006008696 D1 20091008; JP 2006341611 A 20061221; JP 4851241 B2 20120111; US 2006279615 A1 20061214; US 7407276 B2 20080805
DOCDB simple family (application)
EP 06115060 A 20060607; BR PI0602184 A 20060609; CN 200610094509 A 20060608; DE 602006008696 T 20060607; JP 2006157344 A 20060606; US 14933505 A 20050609